Middle Tennessee State football players Shalom Alvarez and Justin Akins have been indefinitely suspended by the school after Akins uploading this video of Alvarez beating a puppy on Snapchat with the caption “[Expletive] said you don’t pay rent [emoji].”
Video via Daily News Journal
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MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill provided a bizarre statement where he spoke about talking to the players on how “disciplining a pet in such a manner could be misconstrued”
Via WSMV
I am aware of the situation and have talked to the players involved. The players explained to me that the puppy urinated inside and they were simply spanking it as a form of discipline. They told me there was never any intent to harm the dog. This was an important teaching moment. I talked to them about other approaches that should have been considered in this situation. And I pointed out how disciplining a pet in such a manner could be misconstrued, especially with the impact of social media.
I’m not sure if the coach thinks it’s actually okay to beat a puppy or if he’s trying to back his players but it just comes off as tone-deaf.